IPOH: A businesswoman in Teluk Intan was cheated out of approximately RM371,000 in a phone scam.
Hilir Perak OCPD Asst Comm Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said the 67-year-old received a call on Oct 26 from an individual claiming to be ‘Datuk Yoong’, an officer from the Pahang state police contingent.
The suspect accused the victim of being involved in money laundering activities and instructed her to transfer money into four accounts for investigation purposes.
"The suspect assured the victim that her money would be returned once the investigation was completed.
"She was in constant communications with a few other numbers between Oct 27 and Nov 10," ACP Bakri said in a statement on Monday (Nov 24).
He added that the victim was informed that the authorities would meet her to resolve the case, and only realised she had been cheated when no officers arrived.
ACP Bakri said the case would be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He also reminded the public to be careful and to refrain from entertaining messages or calls from unknown numbers, adding that the Whoscall and Truecaller apps could be used to identify callers.
“Do not panic when receiving calls from scammers.
"Enforcement agencies in Malaysia will not call to threaten anyone or give them options to 'selesai di luar' (settle outside)," he said.
